This month, as spring begins to spring, we're thinking about vulnerability, about the perils and pleasures of opening up. Joining us is author and academic Katherine Angel, whose latest book Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again is a nuanced and thought-provoking examination of women’s desire in the age of consent, exploring the shortcomings of our current discussions around things like sex, power and violence. Our theme is inspired by Katherine’s book, and her discussion of the necessity of vulnerability in sex, so listen in for our thoughts about some of the books that explore vulnerability and the complicated terrain of consent, as well as the vulnerability of writing itself. Come let your guard down with us for the next hour of Literary Friction.

Recommendations on the theme, Vulnerability:Octavia: To Throw Away Unopened by Viv Albertine https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571326211-to-throw-away-unopened.htmlCarrie: The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571327850-the-lesser-bohemians.html

General recommendations:Octavia: Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux, translated by Tanya Leslie https://fitzcarraldoeditions.com/books/simple-passionKatherine: Gay Bar: Why We Went Out by Jeremy Atherton Lin https://granta.com/products/gay-bar/

Carrie: Things I Don’t Want to Know by Deborah Levy https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/253/253221/things-i-don-t-want-to-know/9780241983089.html

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This episode is sponsored by Picador https://www.panmacmillan.com/picador